WTM 2022: Beach Holidays Still Number-one Choice of Brits, City Breaks Come Second

Beach holidays remain the number-one choice among UK holidaymakers, according to the latest Industry Report issued by World Travel Market (WTM) London.

WTM London, which will run to November 9 at ExCeL – London, is considered one of the leading global events of the tourism industry.

Two-thousand Brits were surveyed for WTM’s report, with 52 percent of them choosing a beach holiday as a favorite future booking followed by a city break vacation in second place with 36 percent.

Beach holidays are more attractive to younger generations, with 58 percent of those in the 18-44 age groups opting to be by the beach, compared to 50 percent of 45s-65s.

“Brits look forward to their annual summer holiday by the beach. And with the stresses and strains of COVID, home-schooling and the cost-of-living crisis, who can blame them for simply wanting to hop on a plane and recharge?” said WTM Exhibition Director Juliette Losardo.

Furthermore, the report finds that only one in seven (14 percent) British travelers choose a luxury, five-star holiday, followed close by a 12 percent who prefer going on a cruise.

When do Brits start packing?

The WTM London Industry Report also revealed interesting insights into the bag-packing habits of British holidaymakers.

A third of them (32 percent) pack a week before they travel, with another 32 percent packing two days before.

In complete contrast, 11 percent leave their packing until the night before, with 1 percent of Brits throwing everything into their suitcase on the day of travel.

The “early bird” catches the good sunbed by the pool

Photo source: ViralVideosUK.

Almost 2 out of 5 British travelers choose to wake up early in the morning in order to reserve a spot by the swimming pool.

The survey reveals a staggering 71 percent of 18-24s get up early to reserve their spot, while 50 percent of 25-34s and 45 percent of 35s-44s do the same.

“The early morning rush by holidaymakers to reserve their sun beds has been going on for decades but social media has brought the issue to the fore,” Losardo commented in the issue.

According to the report’s findings, Londoners are more likely than anyone else to get up early to put towels down with over half (52 percent) saying they would do so.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is an official media partner of WTM London.